SSL Certificates¶
Fused now offers free certificates to all users at no charge. Below we'll document instructions on how to activate the certificate, integrate it into your software & any caveats with using both the free SSL & SSL in general.
SSL Advantages¶
Encryption & security¶
The primary benefit to using SSL with your site is that content submitted to & sent from your site is encrypted, making it more difficult for prying eyes to see what your users are up to. This helps you help prevent nefarious actors on the injecting content into your site when a user visits it. These actors could range from ISPs injecting their own advertisements/content, to a device attempting to man in the middle your website. It's yet one more layer in security, but an utmost important one.
Google ranking advantage¶
There's a light google pagerank advantage to using SSL, that might give you the edge over a competitor.
Integrating an SSL certificate for a CMS¶
Integrating a certificate could range from two minutes of work, to a few hours.
Tip
Every site is different, and some of the following instructions may differ based on plugins, modules, redirects & any number of variables. If you use the instructions below to alter your site to use SSL, and something goes awry, revert your changes & reach out to us or your developer.
Installing a certificate via cPanel¶
By default, Fused enables SSL on every site.
Once in awhile you may manually need to regenerate a certificate due to an error, or something going awry.
Installing a new SSL certificate¶
- Login to cPanel.
- Navigate to
SSL/TLS Status - Select the checkbox next to the relevant domain on the list, & then
Run AutoSSLtowards the top of the page.
Reinstalling a certificate¶
Note that reinstalling a certificate includes removing it, and users visiting during the process could receive security warnings. We recommend performing these steps outside of your business hours, or having Fused handle it (free) by contacting fused.
- Login to cPanel.
- Navigate to
SSL/TLS, and thenManage SSL Sites - Select
Uninstallnext to the relevant site. Accept the popup once you've verified it's the correct domain. - Return to the main cPanel page (by clicking cPanel in the upper left) & navigate to
SSL/TLS Status - Select the checkbox next to the relevant domain on the list, & then
Run AutoSSLtowards the top of the page. - The certificate will generate after about ~30 seconds and it should then show as valid through a particular date.
If it fails to for some reason, contact fused & we'll assist.